title: Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma mimicking apical periodontitis.
abstract: This report describes the case of a patient with mesenchymal chondrosarcoma in the region of tooth #18 that mimicked apical periodontitis. Forty-five days after endodontic treatment, gingival swelling and intense pain were observed. The endodontist suspected a furcation lesion, and the treatment option that the patient chose was extraction of the tooth. Seven days after suture removal, a rapidly growing swelling was seen in the region. The patient was referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who recommended an incisional biopsy after evaluating imaging and clinical findings. Microscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. The patient underwent hemimandibulectomy with wide surgical margins. This clinical case draws attention to the fact that endodontic lesions should be carefully evaluated because malignant tumors such as mesenchymal chondrosarcoma might mimic apical periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: University of Cuiabá, Cuiabá, MT.
authors.forename: Mike Reis
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bueno
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT.
authors.forename: Artur Aburad
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: De Carvalhosa
authors.affiliation: Specialist in Oromaxillofacial Surgery, Cuiabá, MT.
authors.forename: Paulo Henrique
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: De Souza Castro
authors.affiliation: Specialist in Oromaxillofacial Surgery, Cuiabá, MT.
authors.forename: Kenper Carlos
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Mato Grosso School of Public Health, Cuiabá, MT.
authors.forename: Fabiano Tonaco
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil. Electronic address: estrela3@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Estrela
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018211:Chondrosarcoma, Mesenchymal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis*